Hanukkah in the center of Kyiv. Katya Chilly wrote a post that angered Ukrainians.

On December 25, the Jewish community installed the largest Hanukkah menorah in Europe and lit the first candle in celebration of Hanukkah in Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv. The installation of the main symbol of the Jewish holiday provoked mixed reactions from some Ukrainians, including the singer Katya Chilly. 

"In the center of the Ukrainian state, in the capital of Ukraine, during the war for Ukraine, there should be a symbol of Ukrainian Christmas. Not other symbols. And not symbols of other peoples. With all respect, tolerance, and honor. Honor should first be to our land, our people, and our traditions that protect this state and people", – wrote Katya Chilly.

In social media, the singer published a post condemning the installation of the menorah, calling it a symbol of "other peoples". According to her, there should be a symbol of Ukrainian Christmas in the center of Kyiv during the war. It should be noted that this year, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah coincides with the celebration of Christmas and the New Year and lasts from December 25 to January 2.

Users on social media pointed out that the singer is inciting xenophobia in Ukrainian society, asking why she is doing this. Some sharply expressed their position and called her an anti-Semite and a xenophobe. Additionally, in the comments, Ukrainians noted that many Jews are currently defending Ukrainian land from Russian invaders. 

It should be mentioned that the singer reacted to the scandal in the comments. She compares the installation of the menorah in the capital with the actions of a colonial state, which, when conquering a country, installs its flag and symbol in its center.

Meanwhile, some Ukrainians defended the singer. Thus, on social media, there are calls not to get personal and not to hurl insults. Some are outraged that there is no Ukrainian Christmas nativity scene in Maidan. Specifically, writer Dmytro Kapranov commented on this issue. 

Artist Oksana Tsyupa noted that the spirit of Ukrainian Christmas was at Sophia Square and posted a corresponding photo. "Therefore, brothers, let us honor our kin and not despise our neighbors, because we all have to live together in Ukraine, relying not only on our inner circle but also on friends, neighbors, both close and distant, and do not fall for Russian disinformation", – she wrote.

We remind you that in Kyiv, on Maidan Nezalezhnosti, the largest Hanukkah menorah in Europe was installed in celebration of the holiday.  Lighting the Hanukkah menorah – the main ritual of the holiday – symbolizes spiritual resilience and the victory of holiness over impurity, light over surrounding darkness.